SANTA CLARA VALLEY BLIND CENTER INC

THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO INCREASING INDEPENDENCE, CONFIDENCE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL, RECREATIONAL AND REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR MORE DETAIL.A. REHABILITATION SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUALIZED/GROUP COUNSELING, PEER SUPPORT, IN-HOME ASSISTANCE, TRAINING WITH A WHITE CANE/DOG-GUIDE, DAILY LIVING SKILLS, MEDICINE MANAGEMENT, BRAILLE INSTRUCTION, ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING, RESOURCE ACCESS, TRANSPORTATION. ADJUSTMENT TO VISION LOSS SUPPORT GROUPS: INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING AND WEEKLY SUPPORT AND PEER SHARING GROUPS EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE DEPRESSION, ISOLATION, FEAR, AND ANGER THAT ACCOMPANIES THE ONSET AND AID INDIVIDUALS IN ADAPTING TO PROGRESSIVE VISION LOSS.ADAPTED INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS: TAILORED TO EACH CLIENT'S SPECIFIC NEEDS. ADAPTED TECHNIQUES FOR COOKING, PERSONAL HYGIENE, HOME CHORES, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, LABELING, ETC. ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING: 1:1 TRAINING TO USE A WHITE CANE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. TEACHES THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO TRAVEL SAFELY AND INDEPENDENTLY.ACCESS TECHNOLOGY TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT: INSTRUCTION IN MAGNIFICATION & LIGHTING TECHNIQUES THAT ENABLE THOSE WITH LOW VISION TO READ NEWSPAPERS, PRESCRIPTIONS, BILLS, RECIPES, TV LISTINGS ETC. MORE ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, ARE TAUGHT WHEN GREATER MAGNIFICATION OR TEXT-TO-SPEECH SYNTHESIS IS NEEDED. SOME EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN.APPROXIMATELY 298 CLIENTS SERVED DURING THE YEAR.B. EDUCATION SERVICES INCLUDE COMMUNITY OUTREACH, EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS, AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL. ADDRESSES THE STRONG NEED THAT CLIENTS EXPRESS FOR SOCIALIZATION WITH THEIR PEERS, AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN HELPING OVERCOME ANGER AND FEAR AS THEY ADJUST TO LOSING THEIR SIGHT. CLIENTS LEARN FROM, AND ARE INSPIRED BY ONE ANOTHER, DEVELOP SOCIAL CONNECTIONS, AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. VISION LOSS COUNSELOR-TEACHERS PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH INFORMATION ABOUT VISION LOSS, EXPLAIN OUR SERVICES, TRAIN CARE PROVIDERS, AND PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH/SERVICES FAIRS. SUPPORT FOR FAMILY/FRIENDS OF THE BLIND IS ALSO AVAILABLE.THE CENTER MAINTAINS AN ONGOING COLLECTION OF INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS AND A DATABASE OF RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE BROAD RANGE OF CONCERNS OF INDIVIDUALS, AND FAMILIES REGARDING VISION LOSS. BECAUSE ACCESS TO ANY INFORMATION IS DIFFICULT FOR THE BLIND, WE ALSO COLLECT INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY SERVICES, DISCOUNT PROGRAMS, FOOD PROGRAMS, LEGAL AID, HOUSING, DISABILITY RIGHTS, HEALTH SERVICES, ETC. AND RENDER IT ACCESSIBLE. CLIENTS CAN CALL FOR INFORMATION, GET INFORMATION AT THE WEEKLY CLIENT MEETING, AND/OR ACCESS INFORMATION IN OUR READING ROOM/RESOURCE LIBRARY, WHERE THEY HAVE FREE USE OF ADAPTED READING DEVICES AND CAN READ OR GET COPIES OF MATERIALS. THE WEEKLY CLIENT MEETING IS ALSO A FORUM THROUGH WHICH OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS MAY SPEAK TO OUR CLIENTS OR DISPENSE INFORMATION. ALL NEW CLIENTS ARE GIVEN A RESOURCE LIST AND A LIST OF FREE SERVICES.OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BLIND ARE ALSO FEATURED IN INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.APPROXIMATELY 3,450 PEOPLE SERVED DURING THE YEAR.